Higher foreign interest at Pusan New Port

Pusan New Port is coming into the spotlight for foreign logistic companies. The port will open step-by-step from 2006.

The Busan Port Authority (BPA) announced April 25 that 15 shipping companies, including P&O Nedlloyd, Evergreen, and APL, are participating in a foreign shipping companies meeting at the Westin Chosun Hotel, and were very interested in Pusan New Port.

At the meeting, some companies questioned connecting transportation plans between Pusan New Port and the existing Pusan Port, hinterland roads and railway construction conditions at Pusan New Port. Also they requested building an exclusive terminal for transshipment cargoes at Pusan New Port.

Before the meeting, on April 22nd 9 Japanese logistic company inspectors invited by the Korea Trade-Promotion Agency (KOTRA) showed their interest in Pusan New Port and its hinterland logistic grounds after touring Pusan Port and the construction site for Pusan New Port.

One Japanese logistic company discussed a plan for building an automotive warehouse by investing over 10 billion won in a hinterland logistic complex at Pusan New Port with BPA on April 13.

An Official from BPA said, "Foreign logistic companies prefer the logistic areas of Pusan New Port to the logistic complexes of ports in China and Japan because of better investment conditions at Pusan New Port," and, "We will collect ideas from shipping companies calling at Pusan Port to reflect in the operation systems and hinterland construction plans of Pusan New Port."